Diarrhea in Children

What is diarrhea in children?

Diarrhea is when stools (bowel
movements) are loose and watery. Your child may also need to go to the bathroom more
often.

Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, your child may have a more serious problem.

Diarrhea may be either:

Short-term (acute). Diarrhea that lasts 1 or 2 days and
goes away. This may be caused by food or water that was contaminated by bacteria
(bacterial infection). Or it may happen if your child gets sick from a virus.

Long-term (chronic). Diarrhea that lasts for a few weeks.
This may be caused by another health problem such as irritable bowel syndrome. It can
also be caused by an intestinal disease. This includes ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s
disease, or celiac disease. Giardia may also cause chronic diarrhea.

What causes diarrhea in a child?

Diarrhea may be caused by many things, including:

Bacterial infection

Viral infection

Trouble digesting certain things (food intolerance)

An immune system response to certain foods (food allergy)

Parasites that enter the body through food or water

Reaction to medicines

An intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease

A problem with how the stomach and bowels work (functional bowel disorder), such as irritable bowel syndrome

Surgery on the stomach or gallbladder

Children who visit some foreign countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea. This is caused by having food or water that is not safe because of bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Severe diarrhea may mean a child
has a serious disease. Talk with your child's healthcare provider if symptoms don’t go
away. Also talk with the provider if symptoms stop your child from doing daily
activities. It may be hard to find out what is causing your child’s diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea in a child?

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:

Cramping

Belly (abdominal) pain

Swelling (bloating)

Upset stomach (nausea)

Urgent need to use the bathroom

Fever

Bloody stools

Loss of body fluids (dehydration)

Incontinence

The symptoms of diarrhea may look like other health problems. Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious disease. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is diarrhea diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Your child may have lab tests to check blood and urine.

Other tests may include:

A stool culture to check for abnormal
bacteria or parasites in your child’s digestive tract. A small stool sample is taken
and sent to a lab.

A stool evaluation to check the stool for blood or fat

Blood tests to rule out certain diseases

Imaging tests to rule out structural problems

Tests to check for food intolerance or allergies

A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to
check the inside of part or all of your child’s large intestine

How is diarrhea treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea. In most cases, treatment includes replacing lost fluids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacterial infections are the cause.

Children should drink lots of
fluids. This helps replace the lost body fluids. If your child is dehydrated:

Offer drinks called
glucose-electrolyte solutions. These fluids have the right balance of water, sugar,
and salts. Some are available as ice pops.

Stay away from commercial sports
drinks. These don't have the right balance for a child with severe diarrhea and
dehydration.

Steer clear of juice or soda. They may
make diarrhea worse.

Don't give plain water to your
baby.

Don't give too much plain water to
kids of any age. It can be dangerous.

Keep breastfeeding your baby.
Breastfed babies often have less diarrhea.

Keep feeding your baby formula, if you
were already doing so.

What are possible complications of diarrhea in a child?

The greatest complication of diarrhea is dehydration. This is more likely with young children and those with a weakened immune system. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild dehydration is the loss of fluid. Moderate or severe dehydration puts stress on the heart and lungs. In the worst cases it can lead to shock, which is life-threatening.

What can I do to help prevent diarrhea in my child?

Correct handwashing can reduce the
spread of bacteria that may cause diarrhea. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also
helpful.

A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by rotaviruses. Ask your child's healthcare provider which vaccines are right for your child.

When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe. This is even more important if you travel to developing countries.

Travel safety tips for drinking and eating include:

Not drinking tap water or using it to brush teeth

Not using ice made from tap water

Not drinking unpasteurized milk (milk that has not gone through a process to kill certain bacteria)

Not eating raw fruits and vegetables unless you wash and peel them yourself

Not eating raw or undercooked meat or fish

Not eating food from street vendors or food trucks

Talk with your child's healthcare provider before traveling.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call your child's healthcare
provider if your child is a baby younger than than 6 months old or has any of the
following symptoms:

Belly pain

Blood in the stool

Frequent vomiting

Doesn’t want to drink liquids

High fever

Dry, sticky mouth

Weight loss

Urinates less frequently (wets fewer than 6 diapers per day)

Frequent diarrhea

Extreme thirst

No tears when crying

Sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on baby’s head

Key points about diarrhea in children

Diarrhea is loose, watery stool. Your child may also have to go to the bathroom more often.

It may be caused by many things, including bacterial infection or viral infection.

Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea.

In most cases, treatment involves replacing lost fluids.

The rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by that virus.

Proper handwashing can help prevent
diarrhea.

When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.